what makes a runner stop in tracks and sigh!!

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I had a chance to visit Prague in November 2017. And those who have visited this city in the past will agree that it is a tourist magnet. Those taking pictures on the Charles Bridge, those rubbing the bronze statues for luck, posing against the John Lenon Wall and walking into the narrow alleys close to the Castle. You barely get to sigh and admire Prague’s beauty with so many tourists around. But, if you are a runner and want to experience Prague’s raw beauty sans the tourists, it is the best to run it up.

For us runners, Prague offers great opportunities to see the best sites while fitting in our exercise. It is truly lovely running around Prague’s historic sites (run early to avoid the crowd), along the river, and in the city’s wonderful parks. The hill up to Prague Castle is also a great option too.

In November when I visited, it was cold, windy, sometimes rainy but totally worth the run!

Running on the streets of Prague

The Streets in the morning look absolutely stunning. But, one should beware of the speeding cars and the quick trams. Staying close to the Charles Bridge led me to the fairy tale like paths that eventually lead to the Charles Bridge. Also, crossed a couple of packed trams even at wee hours in the morning.

Check out the colours!!!

A packed tram!

Crossing and running Charles Bridge several times!

The medieval bridge in the heart of the Czech capital, the Charles Bridge is an unmissable part of any visit to Prague. The best time to see it is when everyone is asleep-in the morning. Although I must admit that 7 AM on Charles Bridge was actually not as deserted of an experience as I imagined it would be. You still have a handful of photographers, morning-walk couples and a few tipsy revellers stepping out from night clubs. But, in spite of this, it is relatively empty as compared to the day time and even the night time.

A rather foggy Charles Bridge!

Running inside Letna Park

I absolutely adored the Letna park. This park offers some stunning views of the entire centre. If you run from the historical centre, you have to cross the Cechuv bridge and go up 200 stairs first but from then on it is fairly flat. You may meet lots of other runners here too.

Running up, towards the Letna Park

Spectacular View of the city from the Letna park. Letná’s elevation and location offer commanding views of the Prague Old Town indeed!

River Side Run

This route basically runs along the Vltava river. It is a beautiful cobbled stone path with amazing views of the river. You may also see a lot of swans swimming along in the river.

Run along the river Vltava! I got to know that the name of the river comes from the Celtic language and it means wild river. Enough motivation to run wild?

Running up Petřín Hill

Petřín is a hill in the center of Prague, Czech Republic. It rises above the Vltava River. The hill, almost entirely covered with parks. Also, it is featured prominently in Franz Kafka’s early short story “Description of a Struggle”.

The Petřín Lookout Tower, which strongly resembles the Eiffel Tower, was built atop a hill in 1891. Other sights include the Rose Garden, Mirror Maze, Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, and St Michael Church. There is also a Petřín funicular that links the Malá Strana district with the top of Petřín hill. The passengers were giving stares when they saw us run up rather than taking the funicular.

This is the Memorial to the victims of Communism at the beginning of Petřín hill. It is a series of statues in Prague commemorating the victims of the communist era between 1948 and 1989.It shows seven bronze figures descending stairs. The statues appear more “decayed” the further away they are from you – losing limbs and their bodies breaking open. It represents how political prisoners were affected by Communism.

Built as a mini version of Paris’s Eiffel Tower, the Petrin Observation Tower was built in 1891!

It is a route that can be taken from below the Charles Bridge that leads up to the hill.

Taken from the Charles bridge!

A bit of Detour from Charles Bridge towards John Lenon Wall!

As you make your way back to the Charles Bridge, you can take a bit of a detour. This detour will take you past the John Lennon Wall, covered with grafitti, poems, lyrics, flowers. There are many opportunities to extend the run by exploring additional trails in Petrin Park.

Once a normal wall, since the 1980s it has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles’ songs.

A Charming Restaurant that was opening for Brekkie!!! Well, runners can be monsters on breakfast table.